THE LOS ANGELES TIMES TODAY….

Monday, June 20, 2011

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES TODAY….

…..had the most moving article by John Glionna about Pastor Lee Jong-rak a pastor in Korea who sees perfection in disabled infants. This journey began 25 years ago when his wife gave birth to a baby so disfigured by cerebral palsy that doctors gave him mere months to live. The child was named Eun-man which means full of God’s grace. Eun-mans birth caused this religious man to question his faith and he asked God why he was given such a handicapped child saying he wasn’t grateful for the baby. Because his son was helpless and beyond hope, Lee says that he witnessed the preciousness of life and this caused him and his wife to work desperately to keep the child alive. Needing constant care the boy brought Lee closer to his faith and he entered theology school to become a Christian minister and now takes in all manner of disabled infants housing 21 at this writing.

Coincidentally, Lisa Bowman who writes www.thereligionnetwork.com wrote the following for this weeks subject…………..

“Rarely is any life without some sort of deep crisis that produces fear or anguish. But some are forced to endure prolonged violence or war, starvation, false imprisonment, torture, and even slavery. When we pray for strength in facing our own crises, we can also include in our prayers those who struggle to survive the unimaginable.”

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.